the Berlin wall fell: At the end of a plodding news conference, Politburo spokesman Guenter Schabowski offhandedly said East Germany was lifting restrictions on travel across its border with West Germany. Pressed on when the regulation would take effect, he looked down at his notes and stammered: "As far as I know, this enters into force ... this is immediately, without … [Read more...] about It Was 20 Years Ago Today…
Freedom
Of Exigent Circumstances and Radio Dead Zones
When it comes to judicial oversight of law enforcement intrusion into our privacy, I'm pretty suspicious of claims of exigent circumstances. For example, I don't believe the claim that terrorism investigators need to conduct warrantless surveillance because there's not enough time to get a warrant. Some places have judges stationed at sobriety checkpoints to speed the warrant … [Read more...] about Of Exigent Circumstances and Radio Dead Zones
Independence Day, Then What?
So on July 4, 1776, the United States of America declared itself independent from the Kingdom of Great Britain. And then it was July 5, and there was work to be done. Britain was a superpower, but through war and diplomacy our small nation wrested sovereignty from the king's hands, and on September 3, 1783, the king's representatives acknowledged it in the Treaty of Paris. … [Read more...] about Independence Day, Then What?
How Much Government Should We Have?
Jamie Spencer has a question about the size of government: But the big "L" libertarians often use a certain phrase that I just don't understand. For example, my friend and Dallas criminal defense lawyer Robert Guest uses it in a post about tea parties: As a libertarian I'm for anything that reduces the size and scope of government. You're for anything that reduces the size and … [Read more...] about How Much Government Should We Have?
Conservatives, Carry Permits, and Secular Liberal Evangelism
Hi there. My name's Joel, and I'll be your occasional Second Amendment issues blogger here. This particular essay is posted both at True North and at Windypundit, the latter of which is set up to handle comments. Why a Minnesota radical moderate is posting a blog entry about conservatives and liberals on a Chicago area blog is one of those little mysteries of life, kinda … [Read more...] about Conservatives, Carry Permits, and Secular Liberal Evangelism